You’ve heard the saying it’s not my cup of tea? Well, I’m bubbling thinking about this topic and excited to share my thoughts on tea, literally and figuratively.

Before I dive in, I’d like to set the scene. My adventure into self-publishing is leading me into the dreaded arena of marketing. 😬 Over the next month, I will endeavor to introduce myself and get to know you, my reader. This brings me back on topic—finding, if for you, I fall into the not my cup of tea or let’s have a tea party.

Growing up I had a firm aversion to the smell of my parents’ coffee. I did try to like coffee in my young adult years, but couldn’t add enough cream, sugar, or chocolate, to get over the fact that I don’t like coffee. I tried iced tea, finding it was not my cup of tea either.

Then something miraculous happened—I discovered chai lattes. Chai lattes led me to discover, that unlike coffee, if I added cream (or nondairy creamer) and honey to tea, there were many variations that would become my favorites. My kids now give me tea for presents, and the most recent ones are/were amazing. One I got this Christmas was a loose leaf crème brûlée earl grey, which I just ordered more of. Another one, which was supposed to be for Christmas but arrived in time for my birthday, was a loose leaf chai pu-erh. (Pu-erh is a fermented black tea.) I will reorder that one, too, when I run out.

Do you have favorite teas? Would you post yours in the comments? If not tea, do you have a favorite coffee drink? I’d love to know how you found your favorites.

My love of tea has made its way into my novel. I won’t share those details just yet, but if you decide to subscribe to my newsletter, I might leak a few snippets next month. You can click this link to subscribe: Sandy Blackburn Writes.

I’m an avid reader and discovered a few tea infused books from some of my favorite authors. The Charmed Leaf Legacy series by Rachel Morgan and Shari L. Tapscott’s Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances books. Both series are available on Kindle Unlimited.

For those of you reading my blog for the first time, I want you to know that on this platform I share honestly and openly about my faith in God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and this topic of tea brought to mind two scriptures.

The first one is the “taste and see” scripture, but I found The Passion Translation fitting.

Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT

Doesn’t that sound like an invitation to cozy up with God and get to know him over some deep conversation? That’s something worth striving for with God and with people. Spending time with people, tasting what flavor of tea they are, and seeing if they’re your cup of tea.

Some of the best teas are blends of tea with other ingredients. This next verse came to mind as I thought of my life as God expertly blends together every experience I go through with pleasing results. “A tasty tea,” as my character, Calla, would say.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scripture is like a warm cup of tea, meant to bring comfort in times we don’t fully understand.

My last note about tea (and coffee) is that it’s the hot water that brings out the flavor. James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy when we’re steeping, (my paraphrase). His words are a challenge no matter how you look at it. But when I think of the pleasant results of the right amount of steeping? Too little and the flavor is weak, too long and it becomes bitter. That’s why God’s timing is perfect.

I hope you enjoyed my metaphorical musings. Be sure to check out the books I mentioned. If you sign up for my newsletter or follow this blog, we can continue our conversation. And don’t forget to post in the comments, what’s your cup of tea?

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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P.S. The link to follow my blog is at the very bottom. One day I’ll figure out how to move it.